Dave’s Manual is the upbeat rock band created by Twin Cities musician Dan Colburn, better known by his stage name, Dano Romantic. “Alone Tonight” is the name of their new single and it’s “built around late night energy, neon lights, and that feeling that something isn’t quite right. It sits somewhere between alternative rock and indie pop rock, starting with a tight drum groove that builds into a hooky, guitar driven chorus (“I bet you’re not alone tonight”). Lyrically, it’s about that uneasy feeling in a relationship when you know something’s off but can’t quite prove it.”
I love the blend of easy listening and rock vibes.
The song bursts with energy while delivering plenty of melody, and it’s brilliantly written and performed by the band. At just 2 minutes and 39 seconds, “Alone Tonight” is a straightforward track that’s a joy from start to finish, with fantastic production as well.
Definitely worth a listen. Give it a go and follow Dave’s Manual on social media, if you like what you hear.
Lion’s Pride Music is proud to announce the arrival of ILSY, a premier new force in the classic rock revival, with the release of their debut single and official music video, ‘Never Gonna Come Back‘. The driving track serves as the opening anthem for the band’s highly anticipated self-titled debut album, which is officially scheduled […]
It is the culmination of months of hard work for the Metal 2 The Masses promoters of the South Wales event. Starting in the depths of winter, six bands have battled their way through to the coveted final with a spot at Bloodstock Open Air at stake. Those cold, wet evenings at The Green Rooms in Treforest and the Bunkhouse in Swansea probably seem light years away as the heatwave that is promised slowly inches its way across the East.
Day of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final
Thankfully, although it is sticky, we do not have to worry about the weather in the way that those melting at Hellfest do.
Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
On stage, the temperature is high from the start with the opening act, Excursia. Although the day is close to a sellout, it is the hardcore local fans who are in at doors. The bigger draw of headliners The Wildhearts sees the venue bursting at the other end of the day. But before Ginger makes his appearance, there is the little matter of that final.
Excursia
Excursia have been on the South Wales scene for several years, and despite several line-up changes, are showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, they make sure that those in early are impressed with their ferocious Deathcore.
Excursia – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
It is a long way from those early Thrash roots that the band first produced when they were teenagers. With a more mature approach, they take the opening slot with relish and serve up a feisty start to the proceedings.
House Of Hosts
Second up is House Of Hosts, one of the three semi-finalists from the Swansea events. Playing a blend of Metalcore and more traditional Metal, it is a fiery follow on which gets the slowly filling venue nodding their heads in appreciation.
House Of Hosts – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
Powerful dual guitars and gruff vocals seem to gain appreciation, and the room is already moist. As things stand, we have two worthy finalists and evidence that the judges and the fans have picked wisely.
Risperidrone
Risperidrone change the vibe completely with a set of sludgy doom mixed with progressive elements. It is hard to work out if there is much enjoyment on stage as the band are fixed to their spots.
Risperidrone – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
Perhaps in keeping with their ethics, this is not music for the jolly. But if we all liked the same thing, it would be dull, and the passages of calm that intermingle with crushing riffs make them an interesting watch.
Disrupt The Continuum
Disrupt The Continuum are fully engaged and bring a new level of energy to the venue. It is a shame that the audience is sparser than perhaps it could have been. They look the part, matching shirts giving a professional, we give a shit look.
Disrupt The Continiuum – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
They can play and have great vocals to boot. A powerful set suggests that these are ones to keep an eye out for in future times.
Grindhorse 83
As the afternoon considers moving into early evening, the sounds of surf rock combined with all kinds of styles emerge. Grindhorse 83 are phenomenal, mainly thanks to their energised and compelling lead singer, Maria, who appears to be possessed at times.
Grindhorse 83 – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
High energy has nothing compared to her cavorting and cajoling, and she leads the band through a challenging broken drum peddle moment with ease, leading the crowd through a Metal version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
There is plenty of audience participation and lots of fun to complement the refreshingly different style of music.
Inscape
It is then down to Inscape, the final band from the Swansea heats, to make their pitch. As things have slipped a bit on the timings, there is a slight downturn in numbers watching as the two other venues in this ambitious event brace for impact.
Inscape – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
Those who remain get served a treat as the electro-alternative outfit put on an impressive show, with one of the best vocal performances of the day. Another variation on genres, Inscape round off the Metal 2 The Masses final in style.
Into The Metal 2 The Masses Evening
It is with impressive quality that the rest of the day continues with very few visible problems. It takes guts to bring this event to reality, and this year the three key people behind the event for the past few years, Ofnus main man Alyn Hunter, Bunkhouse promoter Will Sheldon and Musipedia Of Metal owner Matt Bladen, have taken a leap of faith which thankfully for them pays off handsomely.
At 5 pm, they switch attention to two smaller venues literally opposite the Corn Exchange, Le Pub and The Pit at McCanns. Eight bands split across the two stages, whilst on the main stage in the Corn Exchange, we have some Bloodstock alumni to pull in the big numbers.
Awake By Design – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
At Le Pub, we not only get welcome air-conditioning but also big sets by Awake by Design, a stellar performance by last-minute call-ups Häxanwho step in to replace Lifer (get well Scriv), the thundering Stoner Metal of Derbyshire’s Syncolima, who impress massively, and headliners and local heroes Black Lakes, who pack out the venue.
Black Lakes – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
As I skip back and forth, there are smiles, a great atmosphere, and in Le Pub, four very exciting performances.
Downstairs in McCanns lurks a basement venue with a 60-capacity. Part of the network of venues across Newport, it is one for the grassroots and the underground to inhabit.
Democratus – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
Tonight we have the more Extreme side of the day, with the 2018 South Wales winners, Democratus, making a return to their home city. They are joined by the darkness of Somerset Satanic doom duo Tumanduumband, Cardiff revitalised Black Metallers Agrona and the grinding Death Metal of Sodomised Cadaver.
Tumandumband – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
It is heartening to see the room packed out for these bands, with Agrona proving to be a big draw.
With every band on the bill having played Bloodstock before, there is a definite hint of Catton Hall across the evening. And the main room slowly ramps up to a crescendo.
Helldown – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
Swansea thrash veterans Helldown open the evening’s sets with a powerful, muscular set that proves why they remain one of the leading lights in the South Wales scene.
Tiberius
They are followed by my find of the weekend. The glorious progressively tinged Metal of Tiberius, who make the journey as part of a UK jaunt but still have technically travelled the furthest, from Edinburgh no less.
Tiberius – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
The Scots are a fine watch, with great melodies, soaring vocals and a cutting edge that leaves you in no doubt about their credentials.
Mother Vulture
Seven years ago, I stood next to Alyn Hunter and watched Mother Vulture play to about 15 people in Fuel Rock Club in Cardiff. Alyn promised that if they came back, they would fill the venue.
Tiberius – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
It has been a slow burn, but the Bristol-based quartet are now unmissable and provide 45 minutes of their usual high-octane music and chaos. With big shows for them coming up, including a huge 600-capacity headliner in Bristol later in the year, maybe Alyn does know a thing or two after all.
The Wildhearts
I have never fully fallen for The Wildhearts, but for those who love them, they truely love them, and the venue is at its busiest when Ginger and band arrive to close out the evening.
The Widhearts – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
Regardless of my neutrality, I have huge admiration for the Geordie, whose health issues are well documented and whose stance I fully support.
It is a partisan crowd that ensures that what might be one of the final shows by the great man in South Wales goes down a storm.
The Widhearts – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Winners
After all that, it is congratulations to Inscape who win the vote and head to Bloodstock 2026. It has been a day of fantastic music, great organisation and proof that if you believe, then magic can happen.
Inscape – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalk
Huge thanks to all involved, many of whom it was great to see for the first time in a while. With the event moving back West in 2027, it will be interesting to see if this tremendous day can be topped.
Bloodstock has announced 27 more bands for its 25th anniversary celebration next year, including British Heavy Metal legends Saxon who will return
Event Details
Bloodstock has announced 27 more bands for its 25th anniversary celebration next year, including British Heavy Metal legends Saxon who will return to Derbyshire to become the festival’s first ever Thursday main stage headliner.
On 26 August, Bloodstock announced that they would be opening the main stage on Thursday evening for the first time in their 25-year history, celebrating the anniversary with an even bigger bang than usual.
Time
August 6, 202610:00 am – August 9, 202611:00 pm(GMT+00:00)
The Widhearts – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalkThe Widhearts – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalkInscape – Day Of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final. 20 June 2026. Photo: Paul Hutchings/MetalTalkBloodstock 2026 PosterThe post Inscape Triumph As South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Delivers A Day To Remember first appeared on MetalTalk – Heavy Metal News, Reviews and Interviews.
Daniel Tompkins is the voice of TesseracT, and Prince of Failure is the singer’s new creative outlet. Tompkins collaborated with Paul Ortiz (Chimp Spanner) to create a 12-track album that evolved over the past few years. It isn’t the result of a single moment. This emotionally intense debut release features music that emphasizes the emotional… Continue Reading →
Florida-based melodic death metal formation The Absence have begun recording their seventh full-length instalment, the successor to 2024’s The Absence. More info in due time. Read more…
Hellfest 2026. Clisson, France. Do I love seeing incredible major headliners? Of course I do. However, this festival also gives me the chance to see if things I discovered throughout the years are as good live as they are on albums.
At the end of the year I started writing here on MetalTalk, I remember putting Blood Incantation’s then-new record in my list of albums of the year. That thing had brutality, melody, and it was really technical.
I have been meaning to see Blood Incantation since, and seeing that they were playing at Hellfest has made me very happy. Fine, call it Bogdan’s weird band of the day.
They have two massive totems with cryptic symbols on the sides of the stage. How they carry those around is anybody’s guess. And they sound like Death one minute and like Pink Floyd meets King Crimson meets Jean Michel Jarre the other.
It is seamless, very technical, and so easy to get lost in It is incredible.
The best word for this progressive Death Metal extravaganza is cinematic. With growling vocals, odd time signatures and fabulous playing, it is a great performance.
The stage is covered in blue, red or green light, and they also use stroboscopes a lot, creating that cosmic atmosphere.
All the above combined turn this into a true concert experience for those willing to listen and get lost in the music. It is funny when they announce the last song, to last “2-3 minutes”. And it’s about a quarter of an hour.
Prepare to be consumed by the relentless energy of the most influential bands in Heavy Metal as they ignite the Hellfest stages with blistering performances. The immersive atmosphere of Clisson will immerse you in a dark, captivating experience like no other.
With its unparalleled lineup and unwavering commitment to the spirit of metal, Hellfest 2026 promises an unforgettable journey into the depths of sonic mayhem. Read all the Heavy Metal News at MetalTalk.
Prior the beginning of their European tour, starting tomorrow in Portsmouth (UK), King 810 now present a brand new single called “Hungry Gods”. Read more…
Hellfest 2026. Clisson, France. Helloween are on their 40th anniversary tour. Blueprint writers of the Power Metal genre, they are a heavyweight warm-up act for Iron Maiden and Sabaton to follow later in the day. Warm it is too, the heatwave here is roasting the crowd as the band come on to March Of Time.
Having first seen them, supported by Overkill, almost 40 years ago, it is a poignant moment. Time waits for no one, and the long-haired, blonde Adonis who was an eighteen-year-old Michael Kiske when he first laid down some of the vocals is much changed.
With age comes experience. The three vocalists, Kiske, Kai Hansen and Andi Deris, work through their back catalogue with aplomb, whilst their established guitarists bring technical precision, layered harmonies and crisp, clear riffing.
Helloween – Hellfest 2026. Photo: Luke Vaughan/MetalTalk
Their act is now supported by a superb digital movie backdrop to support their screens, which, in the searingly bright sun, is rarely done justice except for the sequences with The Keeper Of The Seven Keys, a purple-robed figure with a galaxy of stars in its hood who exhorts pumpkins to stay united.
Twilight Of The Gods is a beautiful song and goes down well with the crowd who are singing, clapping and punching the air in time to their favourites. Future World gets the best reaction and even a crowd surfer or two. This Is Tokyo, a recent release, is a modern classic, showing their continued relevance.
Bright streamers of blue and white, red and white and multi-colours are fired from cannons over the gathered masses. A spectacle in the bright white light of the French summer.
Helloween – Hellfest 2026. Photo: Luke Vaughan/MetalTalk
Finishing with a medley of Eagles Fly Free and Dr Stein, this generates a spontaneous ceilidh in the crowd. Probably due to time constraints, there is only a short homage to their most loved fourteen-minute track, Keeper Of The Seven Keys, the band are lovingly cheered as they happily throw plectrums and drumsticks to the smiling faces.
